Mammal
Mustela vison
Mustela visonAlso known as North American Mink
American minks patrol stream banks, marshes, and coastlines with lithe agility, diving expertly after fish and crayfish or stalking small mammals along the shore. These solitary semi-aquatic hunters mark long territories with pungent scent secretions and construct burrows among root systems and riverbanks. While native across North America, feral populations established from fur farm escapes now thrive globally, impacting native wetland fauna.
Semi-aquaticCarnivoreAdaptable
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyMuskrat, Crayfish, Water Vole
Predators
- Great Horned Owl
- Coyote
- Red Fox
ThreatsHabitat loss, water pollution, and eradication programs in introduced ranges
HabitatsRivers, streams, marshes, lakes, and coastal shores
Life span3–4 years in the wild; up to 10 years in captivity
Classification
- FamilyMustelidae
- SpeciesMustela vison
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- May bite or scratch defensively if cornered; observe quietly from a distance.
Responsible observation
- Observe near water: Scan quiet riverbanks, docks, and marshy edges early in the morning.
- Keep distance: Allow wild individuals to forage naturally without blocking their exit routes along the bank.
- Control pets: Keep dogs on a leash near wetland habitats to prevent conflicts.
Competitor (c) Алина Урусова, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Алина Урусова · cc-by
Primary Prey (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland · cc-by
Extinct Relative Prentiss, Daniel Webster / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative (c) E. A., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by E. A. · cc-by
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